RIYADH – The Council of Ministers Monday approved a draft plan for public transport in the Jeddah region. The plan, of which the preliminary studies have been completed, includes network of trains, buses and sea transport line, besides a public transport station and a suspension bridge in Obhur. Crown Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense, chaired the session held at Al-Yamama Palace here. After reviewing the plan, presented by Makkah Emir Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, the Cabinet gave instructions to implement the plan within seven years in accordance with the phases approved by the higher committee constituted for the purpose. The committee, headed by Prince Khaled, included ministers of municipal and rural affairs, finance and transport as its members. Minister of Culture and Information Dr. Abdulaziz Khoja said in a statement to Saudi Press Agency (SPA) following the session that the Cabinet entrusted Jeddah Mayoralty to establish a public transport company, which is to be owned by the Jeddah Development & Urban Regeneration Company (JDURC), to manage the implementation of the public transport projects in the region. This is the third public transport project that was approved by the Cabinet. Earlier, the Cabinet approved public transport system for the Riyadh and Makkah cities. The Cabinet authorized the Minister of Finance to sign an International Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters. It approved the Kingdom's joining of Standards and Metrology Institute for the Islamic Countries (SMIIC). It also endorsed that Saudi Standards and Quality Organization and Saudi Food and Drug Authority to be the Kingdom's representatives in the membership of the institute's general assembly. The Cabinet condemned Israeli acts of storming Al-Aqsa Mosque and its aggressive practices against worshipers, students and the desecration of the Holy Qur'an. It called upon the international community to take a firm stand against such provocative practices as they represent a violation of the international conventions and treaties as well as a violation of the sanctity of holy places and hurting the feelings of Muslims. – SG
